Recognizing and Encouraging All Americans to Observe 40th Anniversary of The Deaths of Goodman, Chaney, and Schwerner, Civil Rights Organizers

Recognizing and Encouraging All Americans to Observe 40th Anniversary of The Deaths of Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner, Civil Rights Organizers -- (House of Representatives - June 21, 2004)

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 450) recognizing the 40th anniversary of the day civil rights organizers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner gave their lives in the struggle to guarantee the right to vote for every citizen of the United States and encouraging all Americans to observe the anniversary of the deaths of the 3 men by committing themselves to ensuring equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal justice for all people.

The Clerk read as follows:

H. Con. Res. 450

Whereas Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner were civil rights organizers who participated in the Freedom Summer Project organized by the Council of Federated Organizations to register African Americans in the Deep South to vote;

Whereas on June 21, 1964, after leaving the scene of a firebombed church in Longdale, Mississippi, Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner were murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan who opposed their efforts to establish equal rights for African Americans;

Whereas June 21, 2004, is the 40th anniversary of the day Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner sacrificed their lives in the fight against racial and social injustice while working to guarantee the right to vote for every citizen of the United States;

Whereas the deaths of the 3 men brought attention to the struggle to guarantee equal rights for African Americans which led to the passage of monumental civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965;

Whereas the courage and sacrifice of Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner should encourage all citizens of the United States, and especially young people, to dedicate themselves to the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality; and

Whereas citizens throughout the United States will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the deaths of Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner to honor the contributions they made to the Nation: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress-

(1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the day civil rights organizers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner gave their lives; and

(2) encourages all Americans to observe the anniversary of the deaths of the 3 men by committing themselves to the fundamental principles of freedom, equality, and democracy.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.

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Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 40th anniversary of the devastating murder of three courageous civil rights heroes. We must preserve the memory of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who boldly fought for African American suffrage and helped strengthen the historic alliance between African Americans and Jews. The initial disappearance of these three leaders spurred new efforts to register African Americans to vote. Later on, national indignation over their murders provided the final impetus for the passage of President Johnson's 1964 Civil Rights Act. Together with the Voting Rights Act passed the following year, legally mandated segregation in Mississippi and throughout the South was abolished.

The Congress of Racial Equality, (CORE) called the summer of 1964 "Freedom Summer" and led a massive voter registration and desegregation campaign in Mississippi. This summer was filled with the promise of implementing successful civil rights reforms. On June 21st as part of the Freedom Summer activities, Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner drove to Neshoba County to express sympathy with the congregation of Mt. Zion Church, which had been recently demolished by the Klu Klux Klan. In a conspiracy between elements of the local law enforcement and the Ku Klux Klan, the activists were arrested, and upon their release taken to a remote area, brutally beaten, and shot to death.

James Chaney, an African American civil rights worker from Mississippi, had recently begun to volunteer at the new CORE office in Meridian, Mississippi. Chaney had rapidly become the chief aide, guide, and companion to the CORE director, Matt Suarez. He was only 21 when he was murdered.

Andy Goodman, a white, Jewish, civil rights worker from New York, had arrived earlier that morning in Mississippi to participate as a volunteer in the Mississippi Summer Project. Goodman was known as an intelligent, unassuming, happy, and outgoing youth, and had arrived excited and anxious to improve the rights of African Americans. He was only 20 when he was murdered.

Michael Schwerner, another white, Jewish, civil rights worker from New York, was on a mission in Mississippi to reorganize the community center as well as other programs. Schwerner was the first white civil rights worker to be permanently based outside of Jackson, Mississippi. Although he came under attack, including hate mail, threatening phone calls, and police harassment for his determined efforts to register African Americans to vote, his dedication to fostering tolerance was unwavering. He was only 24 when he was murdered.

Since their tragic murder, the family members of these three activists have continued to preserve both their memory as individuals and their legacy within United States history. To honor the 25th anniversary of the murders, their family members spoke at an African American-Jewish communal relations Seder. James Chaney's brother, Ben, has dedicated his life to ensuring the civil rights of all Americans. This year, as founder of the James Earl Chaney Foundation, he created the Freedom Summer 2004 Ride For Justice. The 20-bus caravan embarked on June 10th and is currently traveling around the country to visit a variety of historically important civil rights memorial sites, including the grave of his brother. Ben is also continuing the mission of voter registration for which the three men were murdered.

These three civil rights workers are among the few of the brave leaders who led our country out of the darkness of intolerance and discrimination, allowing future generations to live without fear. All of us as Americans must take the time today, and every day in the future, to make a firm commitment to honor their memory by fighting even harder to safeguard the ideals for which they stood. We can learn from what they embodied and continue their work to stamp out prejudice forever. It is our duty to remember by guaranteeing that the African American voice be heard through the ballot box. We must preserve the historic ties of oppression that bind the African American and Jewish communities together. For the three who died, we will still continue the struggle for justice.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reflect on the passing of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, and to honor them by promoting tolerance and preserving the civil liberties and right to equality to which every American, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity or religion, is entitled.

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